Out in the Field: Nacozari de Garcia Informational Meeting

On October 30, 2007, the U.S.-Mexico Binational Center team, consisting of representatives from both the Universidad de Sonora (Dr. Diana Meza Figueroa, Mr. Narciso Navarro Gomez, and Ms. Andrea Zavala Reyna) and The University of Arizona (Ms. Denise Moreno Ramirez), conducted an introductory community meeting in Nacozari de Garcia, Sonora, Mexico. The meeting was hosted by the U.S.-Mexico Binational Center, Universidad de Sonora, Mexico’s Secretariat of the Environmental and Natural Resources, and the Commission for Ecology and Sustainable Development for the State of Sonora.  Attendees included local students, science teachers, mining representatives, and municipal personnel.

The purpose of the meeting was to familiarize attendees with the environmental outreach component of the Sonora Remedial Project, and to communicate the technical components of the project to Nacozari de Garcia Mayor, Samuel Josafath Navarez Araujo.  During the meeting, participants received information regarding the U.S.-Mexico Binational Center, Universidad de Sonora extension program, and Universidad de Sonora recycling program.  Mexican environmental engineering students from the university recycling program provided information regarding the activities they will implement at local schools.

The Sonora Remedial Project proposes to stabilize mine tailings in Nacozari de Garcia utilizing native plants, while simultaneously educating the surrounding community members.  Funding for this project is being provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Border 2012 Program and the Border Environmental Cooperation Commission.  Site preparation is being sponsored by Grupo Mexico.